The subject line is the question. If i hurt/killed any of my queens during install will the package still draw comb?
On my first inspection at the 3 day mark I would like to be as noninvasive as possible. Just check the feed and make sure the comb is started properly. I don't want to pull frames to check on the queen so was wondering if just seeing comb being drawn would be enough to let it go for a bit.
Depends on the age of the hive and how long they have been queenless. A queenless hive will shut down production in time. But if you are wondering about the queen, look for eggs and brood in the cells. Easy way to determine health of the hive and the queen without seeing the girl.
Should have stated in the first post that these are freshly installed packages. All of them were feeding the queens thru the cages and I knew the packages had been shaked 4 days prior so I did direct releases. Then I got to worrying that I may have hurt one when putting the rest of the frames in.
They all in single boxes with pf120's so not only would the bottom bars have a chance at her, so would the sides of the frame as there would be no give if a ball of bees got rolled together.
Bees draw comb when they need it. They could need it for brood or for honey. If the queen is dead, they don't need it for brood. But if the flow is on, they may still draw comb to store honey.
Ok, then I guess I need to try to find her or evidence of her when I do the first inspection/feeder refill.
Thanks
Are they bringin in pollen?
Just came in from the apiary for lunch. 7 of the 10 are bringing in some pollen. Thats got to be a good sign for those 7 right? they wouldnt be bringing in pollen if they didnt think they were soon to have brood to feed?
The one I am worried about is not yet.